Order for man after playfight

January 18, 2006

Updated: Monday, June 7, 2010 (08:50)

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been given a community order after a playfight with a friend turned aggressive. Shane Alexander Elliott, of Chelmer Close, St Ives, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful violence and breaking his Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) on

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been given a community order after a playfight with a friend turned aggressive.

Shane Alexander Elliott, of Chelmer Close, St Ives, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful violence and breaking his Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) on December 16 last year.

Prosecuting, Sylvia Cundell told Huntingdon Magistrates' Court that Elliott had visited Derwent Close in St Ives, an area he was forbidden to go to after the same court imposed the ASBO in February last year.

The court heard how Elliott visited a friend, Lee Lord, after he had been drinking at his work's Christmas party.

Mrs Cundell described how the pair began to "play fight" at Mr Lord's address, but this soon turned more aggressive when Elliott picked up a vase, before Mr Lord picked up a stainless steel kettle and, during the melee, Mr Lord's girlfriend, Emma Smith, who was also at the property, got hit with the vase.

After repeated requests from Mr Lord to Elliott to leave the property were ignored, the police were called.

In mitigation, David Potter told the court that the incident had just started off as a simple playfight and brought to the court's attention that Mr Lord was also arrested and charged with affray, after he had struck Elliott with the kettle.

Chairman of the Bench, Derek Rutherford, said while addressing Elliott: "Only you can deal with your drink problem, there is no magic and it is your responsibility."

Mr Rutherford also told Elliott that he had lots of good points, but that his drinking was letting him down.

In the community order, Elliott is to be under the supervision of the probation service for 12 months as well as completing 80 hours community service.

Magistrates also ordered Elliott to attend a drink treatment consultation. In addition to this, Elliott is to pay compensation to Ms Smith to the tune of £60 and also the prosecution costs of £85.